There may still be debate in some
circles as to whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores, but science has made it
clear that canines prefer meat for
primary fuel, even though they “may” be able to tolerate some vegetable
foods to a degree.

The key word here is “tolerate.” It is also well established that cats are obligate carnivores and do not have the
biological capacity to derive nutrition from plant foods – although it may be
hard to tell considering the way some kitties devour grain-laden kibble.

Just like us, our pets become addicted
to flavor and taste as opposed to nutrient content, often ignoring the food
their bodies so desperately need, opting instead for what satisfies their taste
buds. It’s essentially the same as when we choose sugar and fat-filled fast food
instead of a clean, home-cooked meal we know will nourish us far better. The
difference is, we have control over our impulses and can make calculated
decisions while our pets don’t,
they
follow our lead
.

Another very important difference
between us and our beloved animals is digestion, more specifically the
digestive enzyme Amylase which is produced in saliva and helps break down
carbohydrates long before they reach the stomach. The production of Amylase is
significant in that without it, most plant foods move through the body
completely undigested, which is the case when cats eat grains since they do not
produce the enzyme whatsoever. Dogs, on the other hand, do produce some Amylase
enzyme however it is not present in the saliva but introduced later on in the
digestive process through the pancreas and small intestine. This biological
distinction between canines and felines provides us with much needed insight
into the importance of diet and supplementation and the health of our pets.

For cat owners who incorporate grains
in their cat’s diet
, a quality Amylase-containing enzyme product is absolutely critical to sustain any form of
digestive health
. In the same respect, dog owners who feed using more than
15-20% grains should also seriously consider an
amylase-containing product, this will relieve a ton of pressure on their pancreas and small intestine to
produce enough Amylase for carb overload. That being said, science supports a
diet of 100% meat for cats and 85% or greater meat for dogs (preferably
raw and organic) to achieve optimal health and nutrition. High quality digestive enzymes for dogsanddigestive enzymes for catstailored specifically to their respective systems is critical for long lasting health and longevity.

Diet is paramount when considering the health of your cat. Felines are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat in order to survive. Unfortunately, a lot of food out there offered for cats contains little meat and is filled with grain. Felines naturally produce the enzymes required to absorb all the nutrition from meat, NOT [...]